'Wi-fi refugees' shelter in West Virginia mountains

How concerned are you about wireless devices' effects on your health?

September 13, 2011 CBC News

A remote settlement in Green Bank, W.Va., is home to a few dozen Americans convinced that Wi-Fi and other wireless signals make them physically ill, the BBC reports.

Green Bank is part of the U.S. National Radio Quiet Zone, where wireless devices like cellphones are banned across 34,000 sq. km to eliminate signal interference with large radio telescopes in the area.

People have moved to the Quiet Zone because they believe they suffer from Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity, or EHS. Symptoms include headaches and chronic pain caused by electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure from wireless devices.

The World Health Organization says "EHS has no clear diagnostic criteria and there is no scientific basis to link EHS symptoms to EMF exposure."

Bob Park, a physics professor at the University of Maryland, says that the radiation emitted by Wi-Fi cannot possibly affect the body's chemistry. "It's a million times too weak," he says.

But new research by scientists at Louisiana State University suggests that even low levels of EMF may cause painful symptoms in individuals extremely sensitive to it.

How concerned are you about wireless devices' effects on your health? Do you suffer from symptoms of electromagnetic hypersensitivity? Let us know in the comments section below.

Ouch! Illinois governor dumps smart grid bill

Quick Take:We saw PG&E struggle to sell smart meters to consumers. And Xcel struggle to prove the value ofsmart grid to the citizens of Boulder. Now ComEd is struggling to prove the value of smart grid to regulators and policymakers. Maybe what the smart grid needs most is a good PR agent.- By Jesse Berst

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, citing an excessive financial burden on consumers, "sweetheart deals" and no guarantees of improved service, knocked down legislation that would have paid for the widespread installation ofsmart metersand other electric grid improvements.

"More than 1.5 million people and businesses have had to deal with power outages and service disruptions this summer," Quinn said in a press release issued by his office. "Now these same utilities are trying to change the rules to guarantee themselves annual rate increases and eliminate accountability. I will not support a bill that contains sweetheart deals for big utilities, which could leave struggling consumers to pick up the tab for costs such as lobbying fees and executive bonuses."

He added that the state could ensure continued innovation and investment in the electric grid and create new jobs "without compromising core safeguards for Illinois consumers." Attorney General Lisa Madigan commented "This bill would have been devastating for consumers."

While the governor and attorney general described the bill as a consumer protection issue, Chicago-based Commonwealth Edison has said customers could save $2.8 billion on their electric bills over the 20-year life of the meters. That was one of the takeaways from a recent Black & Veatchanalysisof a ComEd smart meter pilot project. It said costs would be more than offset by benefits.

ComEd also has said it could have responded more quickly and efficiently to restore power after recent outages if smart grid technologies had been in place.

Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart GridNews.com. He consults to smart grid companies seeking market entry advice and M&A advisory. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the US and abroad, he also serves on the Advisory Council of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy & Environment directorate.

Not yet, at least as established by the World Health Organization, a disease in an official capacity. The absence of studies impossible to ascertain data on the level of incidence and health effects of what some already know and call "electrosensitivity" and, according to experts, is on track to become one of the great evils of the call "information society".

Rather little is known about this condition that though it seems to depend on the technological development takes several years totaling affected. Also known by the nickname of "allergy wifi", although its impact on health does not depend exclusively on wireless networks-what is known is that it is a disease caused by continued exposure to electromagnetic fields and can give to symptoms such as loss of short-term memory, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, or irritation, which intensifies when the affected remains close to electrical appliances. Studies conducted by independent scientists indicate that, today, the electrosensitivity could affect one in every thousand people, and the European Council has already warned about the harmful effects of such waves. [European Council Resolution]

Apart from names that define what is certain is that this invisible illness, in which pain is felt but not seen what causes it, has begun to take small steps in their fight for recognition. Only a few months Minerva Palomar, electro 15 years, got a judge to grant him permanent disability due to this problem. True, it took a little walk by strenuous lawyers and courts to achieve, but also laid the foundation stone on the path of a countless list of people affected. Allergic to Wi-Fi: The generation of the invisible disease L.M.F A wave meter

It is at least curious that an "allergic to wifi" are forced to use the Internet as a method to determine the causes of your problem. The desperation to a disorder whose symptoms are camouflaged with common ailments have forced the victims to give up before a priest who intuit complex and focus on finding ways of prevention. There are, however, who compare the harm caused by radiation from devices such as wireless router or cordless phone with that generated by substances such as snuff or asbestos. And a parallel is not alarming. The next generation

Has begun, in the words of patients and experts, was an "electro-generation." "In previous stages has not been as strong a contact with new technologies like this. The children play with mobile and have wifi at school, "Jose Miguel Rodriguez alert, director of research firm geoenvironmental Geosanix.

In real terms, allergy wifi is only a small portion of the pie waves generated electro upset people. Barbazán Yolanda is one of many affected by the invisible disease that ABC wanted to tell how the wifi, among the other radiation that surround his life has forever changed his routine. "In the office the router bothers me, but I can not do anything because, according to the company" is what is progress. " "When my friends download data head really hurts" When my fellow downloading data head really hurts, "he explains. Similar is the case of Mary Jesus, whom the radiation given off by electrical devices of any kind affects you so that you can not remember a day that has been alien to the pain: "My everyday life has peaks, the wrong way at noon when the neighbors put in to watch the news, also in the afternoon, when people turn on the computer and put the wifi. "

The effects of the waves who have electrosensitivity multiply as it remains exposed. "Even if you start affecting the wifi when you have a lot of time getting radiation will ultimately affect everything: electrical wiring, the phone ... You get to a state in which your body becomes extremely sensitive and appears waves notes anything that leads one plug ", says Yolanda, who began to feel bad for an antenna outside his home and now feels even the neighbor's wireless. No medication or assistance

Symptoms electrosensitivity are generated by the first chapter of the struggle waged affected every day. The disease has not yet recognized by the WHO involves, among other consequences, the lack of health care protocols on the matter and a "medical ignorance" that leads them to spend months and even years in a desperate pilgrimage practices and hospitals.

There are cases, like Yolanda, in which doctors end up assuming that "something will have influenced these waves." In others, the most common, doctors prescribe are limited to palliative that "no good" and in the worst examples just by associating electrosensitivity to a state of depression. "When you become convinced that the medicine does not solve anything, look for another solution ' This is due to Alberto Cela, also electro, waves will reduce the production of serotonin in the brain, a natural antidepressant that if he fails to generate "generate sadness, fatigue and depression." After 12 years of illness Alberto decided to investigate on their own to reduce symptoms by using their own means. Not only did it, but also of their ailments have minimized his illness has made her livelihood, focusing on improving the livability of homes and try to free them from radiation. "When you become convinced that conventional medicine does not help find other solutions, such as protecting your home with specialty materials, change some habits or let go of several devices." He uses only the phone and hardly turn on the computer.

Joaquim Fernández Solá is the only doctor who diagnoses the disease in Spain. What does the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, ​​attended by patients tired of specialists and tour generated some symptoms who knows why. "The trend in medicine when a new disease is not to accept it and think it's a thing of the patient, who has invented." Sola is not "strictly" need for WHO decides that electrosensitivity is a disease to treat it as such: "We tend to think the fault of the WHO, but the reality is that neither the doctors nor the government, or much less Industry interested in investigating this problem. " David vs. Goliath

Today, patients and experts agree that if something can be advanced is the establishment of prevention mechanisms. A Maria Jesus, like many others, has been the only option to protect your body like a turtle with a shell of metal mesh that blocks "about" the effects of waves.

"Patients are partially lost a war," considers Francisco Canals, director of the Agency for rogue online. "He achieved important things like the disease is recognized, there emerge medical protocols and patients will choose to sick leave and more effective treatment, but nothing beyond that. It is an impossible war in which there is much fear on many fronts. "

The sentence has been granted permanent disability Minerva Palomar has been for many a straw to cling to after years of constant struggle. Other affected, such as Alberto, prefer to remain skeptical about the achievement: "It's not ideal because a judge glad to give you the reason in court, we are asking that a doctor diagnosed us as a patient any and nothing more." The Swedish example I. ZAMORA Patients are electro and Spanish experts in Sweden paradise in which the disease would not be strange. This is the first country that recognized the electrosensitivity as illness and therefore as a cause of sick leave. Not only has required statement by the WHO to achieve success, but the European Parliament has called on all member states to follow in the footsteps of Sweden and recognize electrosensitivity as it deserves. Swedish law has described the electrosensitivity as a reason for disability and are already taking the first steps in countries like Germany or England to minimize the effects of waves. "In Sweden there are specialized treatments for those suffering from electrosensitivity, there are specific protocols and standards that prevent the placement of antennas where they can affect public health", says José Miguel Rodríguez, Geosanix. It is the dream paradise for the generation of electro, which they hope to some day come to Spain.

It's a good idea to bring up Smart meters as an Ontario election issue. So far, I've sent versions of the following email to the NDP and Green Party -- my local candidates and the party leaders.

Dear Candidate

As an opponent of Smart meters, I'm wondering where you stand on having an opt-out program for the meters.

'Smart' meter radiation is a Class 2B carcinogen according to the World Health Organization. UC Nuclear experts say the meters emit at least 100 times more than cell phones. Having one on your house is like living within 500 feet of a major cell tower, according to Sage Associates.Thousands report adverse health effects, yet they are mandatory in Ontario.

I got very sick after moving to our new home. My bedroom was too close to the meter. These meters are marketed to be safe; I did not know I was "too close" as there was no warning.

Smart meters have caused fires, been shown to overcharge customers, and violate our privacy. People all over the world are protesting. Last week, governments in Hawaii and Maryland rejected the meters. People in British Columbia are organizing to block their installations.

The Ontario Conservatives have promised, "We will give people a choice to turn their smart meters off." Please don't make me vote Conservative for the first time.

Meters are not-so-smart to someNot only that, Joyce believes he is sensitive to electromagnetic energy. "Electromagnetic fields (EMF) can have an effect on the immune system," Joyce said, pointing out the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified electromagnetic radiation as ...

Woman ordered to prison in power line dispute

This link is to a letter which I wrote six years ago, while still learning the basics of EHS and electro magnetic pollution.

When the final report was published several weeks later, the World Health Organization had changed their proposed recommendations.

It is important for all of us to document EMF / EMR problems to the proper authorities, so they are not ignored.

It is interesting to note that the WHO Director General, who I wrote this letter to, died suddenly and that a previous WHO Director General suffered from Electro Hyper-Sensitivity. It makes me wonder about the type and the level of exposure to wireless radiation, at the WHO headquarters.

WEEP News

by: Martin Weatherall

As a Canadian independent foundation, WEEP acts as an umbrella organization and focuses on progressive initiatives that bring increased awareness, policy change, and entrepreneurial activity around the issues of safe Electro Magnetic emissions.

WEEP News is a service provided by WEEP to keep those interested in and affected by Wireless, Electric, & Electromagnetic Pollution, informed on a daily basis, of all the current issues and initiatives in the world today.